Fast multiplex detection of mild traumatic brain injury based on a novel magnetic particle system

Abstract

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is prevalent in younger population with high level of physical activities that have been linked to increased rate of incidences. Although mTBI is rarely resulted in death, unidentified and prolonged mTBI, as a stealth pathology, may cause life-long disability. Recently developed biomarker coupled with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is sensitive but lack of multiplex and time-consuming procedure prevents it from using at the emergency department. Here, we report a new improved immunoassay-based mTBI diagnostic method that is operated by multiplexing UCH-L1 and GFAP with high selectivity and sensitivity in clinical serum tests within 50 min. The Versatile, Easy, and User-friendly IVD System (VEUS) is designed to enable multiplex detection of target proteins with a low limit of detection (i.e., < 1 pg/mL) by conjugating individual antibodies to various length of rod-shaped magnetic beads. The VEUS possesses four core technologies enabling entirely automated rapid diagnostics: 1) multiplex enabling highly magnetizable rod-shaped paramagnetic particles (RSMPs) through length differences, 2) fast well-to-well handling of cartridge for reactions and washing, 3) a unique optical module for highly sensitive imaging under a larger field of view, and 4) software assistance for accurate and high-throughput fluorescence decoding and analysis. The system may contribute to an independent and a precise diagnosis of mTBI which is common in the field of emergency department and then devastating serious after effects due to the loss of diagnosis.